Tributes to 'all-round nice guy' as Ulster GP injuries claim life of ace Lupton

A statement from the Dundrod and District Club read: "It is with much sadness that the club has learned that English rider Gavin Lupton has succumbed to injuries sustained in an accident during the Dundrod 150 Challenge race on Thursday, August 10.

"The 37-year-old from Otley in West Yorkshire came off his machine at the Lougher's section of the 7.4-mile Dundrod Circuit.

"Gavin, known as 'Luppy', was an experienced and popular rider who had been competing at the UGP since 2015.

"We would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to Gavin's family, friends and team and request that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with his passing."

Gavin was well known around the road race tracks in Ireland having won the Ulster 400cc road race championship in 2013 and finished second in the Irish equivalent. He was third in both the Ulster and Irish Junior Support championships the same year and fifth in both Senior Support series - winning 400cc races at the Tandragee 100 and Mid Antrim 150.

David McCartney, Clerk of the Course for the Mid Antrim 150, will remember Gavin fondly.

"The first time he came to the Mid Antrim in 2012 he became stuck in the paddock during a storm and I offered him my caravan for the night until he got things sorted in the morning," he said.

"In fact, the next year I half sponsored him along with another Mid Antrim 150 official, Seamus Dobbin, who supplied Gavin with a 750cc Suzuki.

"He loved his racing and was a sort of private guy who appreciated every little bit of help he received, be it a push up the paddock or a few quid put in his direction.

"He was also a family guy and after a crash, I think it was at the Windmill at Dundrod in 2015, he got married to his long-term partner, Hannah."

Clerk of the Course for Armoy Road Races, Bill Kennedy, said: "I had spoken to Gavin at the Spring Cup at Scarborough in April about coming to Armoy but, although he had loved racing at the track for a couple of years, he was not going to be able to make it this year as he was riding for a new team and their itinerary didn't include Armoy.

"He was a most pleasant young man and I find it hard to take in that he is no longer with us - I am shocked.

"He was always a pleasure to talk to and he soon became a friend of the Armoy Club and its members.

"I would like to send my condolences to his family and friends."

Gavin Lupton was an all-round nice guy who always had time for a chat or a picture with his legion of fans and will be so sadly missed by his wife Hannah, daughter Suzy and his entire family circle.